UK&ABROAD Marathon cheat faces fraud charges after running into trouble

A MAN is to face fraud charges for cheating his way into second place in the Nairobi International Marathon.

Kenyan police and race officials said the man, identified as 28-year-old Julius Njogu, hid among a group of spectators before joining Sunday’s race near the finish.

Njogu claimed second place in a sprint finish after breezing past another competitor in the final stretch at the Nyayo National Stadium.

He was in line to claim around $7,000 (£4,570) in prize money before being caught out and disqualified.

Officials said they became suspicious because Njogu showed no signs of fatigue and was not sweating when he had supposedly just run 26 miles (42km).

They subsequently discovered that he had run a distance of barely half a mile (1km) after emerging from a bunch of onlookers and joining the leading group of runners just outside the stadium.

Over the last few yards, Njogu jogged easily past a weary-looking Shadrack Kiptoo to cross the line in second place.

Television images showed Njogu arguing with race officials, and even removing his running shoes in an apparent attempt to show organisers blisters on his feet to prove he had run the entire course.

But race director Ibrahim Hussein confirmed that he had been following the leading group from the start and did not see the 28-year-old until he suddenly burst from the sidelines.

“I followed the leading team from start to finish and I didn’t see him,” said Mr Hussein, a former Boston and New York Marathon champion.

“He will not be recognised and I’m so disappointed that one can cheat in this modern age. “He didn’t finish second.” In 2013, two athletes were disqualified in the Nairobi marathon after also attempting to cheat their way to podium finishes in the women’s race.

Joshua Kipkorir won the men’s race on Sunday in two hours, 13 minutes and 25 seconds. Elizabeth Rumokoi took the women’s title in 2:29.32.